Army secretary Daniel Driscoll replaces FBI director Kash Patel as ATF head
- Kash Patel had been acting as the head of the ATF since February but did not regularly attend ATF facilities.
- Daniel Driscoll has now assumed the role of acting director of the ATF while continuing his duties as Secretary of the Army.
- The change in leadership reflects ongoing discussions about the effectiveness and future direction of the ATF.
In early April 2025, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was appointed as the new acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), replacing FBI Director Kash Patel who had been in the role since February. This move came after reports indicated that Patel had been largely absent from ATF facilities, reportedly not being seen for several weeks. The abrupt leadership change raised eyebrows within the agency, creating confusion among ATF employees about Patel's sudden removal. There was no immediate official explanation for the decision, although sources mentioned that it was not a job performance issue, as the nature of Patel's work at the FBI made evaluating his engagement at ATF challenging. This marked a rare instance of a military leader overseeing a domestic law enforcement agency and has prompted discussions about the effectiveness and future structure of the ATF.